The annual Student procession or 'Procesh' was held at midday on the Monday of 'Capping Week' and was a highlight of 'Town and Gown' relations between Massey University and the City. Sometimes courting controversy with its 'student humour', the parade usually consisted of floats, clowns and trick cyclists. It attracted large crowds, stopping traffic along Broadway and around the Square and usually ended with a ceremonial ducking in the Butterfly pond after speeches by students representing 'Lord and Lady Massey' and the Mayor.
This float is believed to show 'Lord and Lady Massey' rounding the corner of the Square in front of the PDC building. Behind them is a man in a balaclava holding a rifle. The horse is drawing a hearse and coffin with a sign declaring the 'death of free enterprise'.
Keith Roland Hamblyn was a photographer with the Palmerston North Hospital Board for many years. In a private capacity, he documented a wide variety of public events between 1958 and the early 1970s.
